METHOD FOR FORMING DESIRED NON-PLANAR CONFIGURATION BY FRICTION STIR FORMING TOOL, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING WORKPIECE TO DESIRED NON-PLANAR CONFIGURATION

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and method for forming a workpiece to a desired, non-planar configuration.SOLUTION: At least one friction stir forming tool, having a shoulder and a pin, is used to urge the workpiece to the desired configuration and friction stir form the workpiece. The forming tool can urge the workpiece against a contour surface of a die or a shoulder that is opposite the structural member from the tool. Thus, the forming tool plasticizes a portion of the workpiece and urges the workpiece to the desired configuration. In addition, the material properties of the workpiece can be improved by the friction stir processing.